Chrysanthemum 'Yellow Giant'
Photo by Debra Prinzing
Bloom Date: Sept. 15
Upon arrival, chrysanthemums should immediately be removed from their packaging. If the danger of frost has passed, plugs can be planted outdoors upon arrival. If frost still may occur then plugs can be rested upright in a container for up to a week. Check the moisture of the plug twice daily, provide at least 10 hours of light, and water the plug carefully when needed. You can also start chrysanthemums in small containers indoors to develop stronger root systems before transplanting into your garden or containers for the duration of summer.
Container Grown Mums: Select an initial container size of about 4” for the first 2-3 weeks of growth. Maintain moist soil and place plants in a location receiving at least 10-12 hours of artificial light or 6-8 hours of unfiltered direct sunlight. Once roots have filled the container, transplant outside in your garden or into a larger container for the duration of the growing season. Plants can be grown in containers if fertilized every 2-3 weeks.
Garden Grown Chrysanthemums: Select a location that has a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day and well draining soil. If planting in a hot region, select a spot that provides full sun in the morning and slight afternoon shade. Spacing your plants 15-24” apart will allow adequate air circulation and prevent disease.
Plant Burial: Plant chrysanthemums so the container soil level is even with your garden soil. Burying it deeper can lead to plants developing disease and planting it higher can result in roots drying and dying.
Watering: Water requirements will change throughout the summer as plants grow and soil dries out more quickly in the heat of summer. Avoid overwatering chrysanthemums that are growing indoors which can result in disease problems. Container grown mums are especially susceptible to drying out so place them in a wind protected area and regularly check the watering. Select a container with adequate drainage and avoid overwatering.
Fertilizing: A slow release fertilizer incorporated into the soil at planting is best at a ratio of 14-14-14, which will be specified on the label. Weekly feeding in late summer until the buds begin to develop some color is best, after which you can stop fertilizing. Fertilizing after this point is unnecessary and can often result in more vegetative growth rather than flowering.
Diseases and Pests: Mums should be checked regularly for aphids. Insecticidal soaps and oil based sprays are best at controlling this insect but must be sprayed directly onto the insect. Plants are highly susceptible to damping off disease when starting them indoors so avoid overwatering and plant plugs in containers with drainage.
Fall Pruning: Mums may be hardy in your zone and you can attempt to overwinter them. Wait until the foliage has died back and then prune it to just above ground level. Remove any dead plant material to avoid spreading disease issues. If you are in a warmer zone, avoid pruning unti plants start to grow again in spring and you can tell which stems are still alive.
If necessary, the substitute is Prairie Sun
‘Yellow Giant’ is a beautiful golden color — like the flesh of a peach!
Photo by Debra Prinzing
Bloom Date: Sept. 15
Upon arrival, chrysanthemums should immediately be removed from their packaging. If the danger of frost has passed, plugs can be planted outdoors upon arrival. If frost still may occur then plugs can be rested upright in a container for up to a week. Check the moisture of the plug twice daily, provide at least 10 hours of light, and water the plug carefully when needed. You can also start chrysanthemums in small containers indoors to develop stronger root systems before transplanting into your garden or containers for the duration of summer.
Container Grown Mums: Select an initial container size of about 4” for the first 2-3 weeks of growth. Maintain moist soil and place plants in a location receiving at least 10-12 hours of artificial light or 6-8 hours of unfiltered direct sunlight. Once roots have filled the container, transplant outside in your garden or into a larger container for the duration of the growing season. Plants can be grown in containers if fertilized every 2-3 weeks.
Garden Grown Chrysanthemums: Select a location that has a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day and well draining soil. If planting in a hot region, select a spot that provides full sun in the morning and slight afternoon shade. Spacing your plants 15-24” apart will allow adequate air circulation and prevent disease.
Plant Burial: Plant chrysanthemums so the container soil level is even with your garden soil. Burying it deeper can lead to plants developing disease and planting it higher can result in roots drying and dying.
Watering: Water requirements will change throughout the summer as plants grow and soil dries out more quickly in the heat of summer. Avoid overwatering chrysanthemums that are growing indoors which can result in disease problems. Container grown mums are especially susceptible to drying out so place them in a wind protected area and regularly check the watering. Select a container with adequate drainage and avoid overwatering.
Fertilizing: A slow release fertilizer incorporated into the soil at planting is best at a ratio of 14-14-14, which will be specified on the label. Weekly feeding in late summer until the buds begin to develop some color is best, after which you can stop fertilizing. Fertilizing after this point is unnecessary and can often result in more vegetative growth rather than flowering.
Diseases and Pests: Mums should be checked regularly for aphids. Insecticidal soaps and oil based sprays are best at controlling this insect but must be sprayed directly onto the insect. Plants are highly susceptible to damping off disease when starting them indoors so avoid overwatering and plant plugs in containers with drainage.
Fall Pruning: Mums may be hardy in your zone and you can attempt to overwinter them. Wait until the foliage has died back and then prune it to just above ground level. Remove any dead plant material to avoid spreading disease issues. If you are in a warmer zone, avoid pruning unti plants start to grow again in spring and you can tell which stems are still alive.
If necessary, the substitute is Prairie Sun
‘Yellow Giant’ is a beautiful golden color — like the flesh of a peach!
Photo by Debra Prinzing
Bloom Date: Sept. 15
Upon arrival, chrysanthemums should immediately be removed from their packaging. If the danger of frost has passed, plugs can be planted outdoors upon arrival. If frost still may occur then plugs can be rested upright in a container for up to a week. Check the moisture of the plug twice daily, provide at least 10 hours of light, and water the plug carefully when needed. You can also start chrysanthemums in small containers indoors to develop stronger root systems before transplanting into your garden or containers for the duration of summer.
Container Grown Mums: Select an initial container size of about 4” for the first 2-3 weeks of growth. Maintain moist soil and place plants in a location receiving at least 10-12 hours of artificial light or 6-8 hours of unfiltered direct sunlight. Once roots have filled the container, transplant outside in your garden or into a larger container for the duration of the growing season. Plants can be grown in containers if fertilized every 2-3 weeks.
Garden Grown Chrysanthemums: Select a location that has a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day and well draining soil. If planting in a hot region, select a spot that provides full sun in the morning and slight afternoon shade. Spacing your plants 15-24” apart will allow adequate air circulation and prevent disease.
Plant Burial: Plant chrysanthemums so the container soil level is even with your garden soil. Burying it deeper can lead to plants developing disease and planting it higher can result in roots drying and dying.
Watering: Water requirements will change throughout the summer as plants grow and soil dries out more quickly in the heat of summer. Avoid overwatering chrysanthemums that are growing indoors which can result in disease problems. Container grown mums are especially susceptible to drying out so place them in a wind protected area and regularly check the watering. Select a container with adequate drainage and avoid overwatering.
Fertilizing: A slow release fertilizer incorporated into the soil at planting is best at a ratio of 14-14-14, which will be specified on the label. Weekly feeding in late summer until the buds begin to develop some color is best, after which you can stop fertilizing. Fertilizing after this point is unnecessary and can often result in more vegetative growth rather than flowering.
Diseases and Pests: Mums should be checked regularly for aphids. Insecticidal soaps and oil based sprays are best at controlling this insect but must be sprayed directly onto the insect. Plants are highly susceptible to damping off disease when starting them indoors so avoid overwatering and plant plugs in containers with drainage.
Fall Pruning: Mums may be hardy in your zone and you can attempt to overwinter them. Wait until the foliage has died back and then prune it to just above ground level. Remove any dead plant material to avoid spreading disease issues. If you are in a warmer zone, avoid pruning unti plants start to grow again in spring and you can tell which stems are still alive.
If necessary, the substitute is Prairie Sun
‘Yellow Giant’ is a beautiful golden color — like the flesh of a peach!